Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-08-04
In HAVANA.
A Traveller Sees Strange and Interest,"
ing Sights.

A correspondent OF the indianapolis
Journal says in letter from Hayana
On the landing you are greeted by the
Customhouse officials, who wish to see
your passports to examine your luggage
etc. The ladies Of the party objected
to having their trunks opened and the
contents exposed to the vulgar gaze OF
these pompous indiyiduals. 1t was the
custom, however, and no amount OF
persuasion would cause them to desist.
After the law had been satisfied the
party took carriages for. the hotel. l
came to see, and concluded by walking
could see better, At every turn was
beset by menbiconts to the frat few
gave the small change 81 had 1t was
not long before had smallarmy atmy
heels. To escape them +! called cab
aud was soon mt the hotel. This being
fete week, there were all kinds of a
musements. The next day there was
bull fight | concluded l would go.
In company with several Spanish stu
dents l. started early so rs TO get
good view of this bautal sport, and
found had started none to soon, as
the amphitheatre was fast filling up.
The bands, of which there were several
played the national airs. At the given
signal the bullfghters marched iu-six
10 all. The horses we're the next to
come, led by assistants. The leader Of
the bullAghters was small, pale man,
in perfect form, with rather a feminine
cast of feature.
He was the prime favorlte OF the Ia
dies, and as he marched around the
forum the ladies thre W their lace hand
kerchiefs, pocket books, and their gay
ly colored scarfs to him, which he &C
cepted with a bow and making the
Spanish signs as seen so often in, New
Orleans when giving aims to the poor.
This man is a professional fighter from
Madrid. He is known as Signor Mas
tia Ferretti, and comes with royal
favor. After the first bull was killed /
came away disgusted with the brutal
sport, and must say, TO the credit Of
the few Americans present, they, with
one accord, followed,
Havana has some OF the most elegant
buildings in it-notably the govern
ment buildings and hotels built Of stone.
The plaza or public square is at most
very commonplace affair, and not at all
as inviting as any of our parks in Ind
annapolis. The population is about
$40, 900. Of which $4,000 Is floating. II
is made up of every known race under
the sun but mainly Chinese aud IIindoo
coolies, negroes, creoles and Spaniards
by birth.
The Cuban Sraniards are the moneyed
men. They control everything. The
Cuban's cry is Cuba for us down with
the Spaniards Those born in SPAN
are sent to this island tokeep theCubans
poorer and the Madrid government:
richer. There is scarcely night pass
es but some Spaniard is sent to his long
home by the assassin's poniard. This
is a small knife, The blade about six
inches long, and has both edges as
keen as IA razor. Everybody carries
them even the ladies. AS a rule, the
men carry them in the back OF the
neck, the ladies in their dress, where
they can be seen with the butt peeping
out. The natural hatred that exists
bet ween the ereoles aud the Spauiards
will again lead to war, This time the
creole will I've aided by the negroe slay-
es. All that is wanting now is a
Walker or a Lopez. Havana is the
gateway for the products OF the island.
America being the largest consumer.
The amount of tobacco ard sugar
raised on this island Is simply enormous
and the revenue must be very large. 1t
finds its way to Madrid. The slaves or
pure negroes do the hard field work, and
do it well, although they have cruel
and brutal taskmasters. In some dis
tricts the slaves are treated more hu-
namely.
The Island of Cuba is some 75O miles
long and fifty in width, and is noun
famous at the south end, where the
Sierra Maestro rises TO an elevation of
5000 feet. The western or Havana
districts are the best and wealthiest
parts of the Island. 1t is here the fin
est and best sugar and tobacco are
raised, which find ready market In
New Orleans and New York. Nearly
eighty.five per cent. OF the sugar raised
here goes to America /; the balance to
England. Cuba importshard ware, salt,
fish, furniture, flour, manufactured
goods and machinery, etc. saw In a
sugar refinery Corlss engine made in
Indianapolis, and when saw it felt
homesick. 1t was only momentary
though. The ladies of Havana are very
beautiful. Their olive complexion Is
set off to good advantage by the use OF
their mantillas folded across the shoul.
der in a way that makes them bewitch-
ing. If it were not for their ungovern.
able tempers they would be still hand
somer. The weather here is very warm I.
At night there Is cool breeze that
comes from the bay, and with it come
the old fashioned Mississippi "gallinip-
er." Three or four of them sucking at
once is not the best feeling in the
world, and to know there are several